Angular compression plate for bone fractures

ABSTRACT

An angular compression plate for compressing a transverse fracture in a tibia bone, or the like, and including first and second flanges connected together along their adjacent edges. The flanges are slightly flexible with respect to one another for adjustment to accommodate varying angles between the first and second sides of the tibia. Thus, the plate may be placed across the fracture and secured to such adjacent sides of the tibia for maintaining the fracture in compression and will likewise provide support along two sides of the tibia.

United States Patent [72] Inventor William X. Halloran 440 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626 [21] Appl. No. 771,047

[22] Filed Oct. 28, 1968 [45] Patented July 20,1971

[54] ANGULAR COMPRESSION PLATE FOR BONE FRACTURES 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] [1.8. CI 128/92, 52/5 [4 [51] Int. Cl A61l5/04 [50] Field of Search 128/89,

89.1, 92, 92 A, 92 B, 92 C, 92 D, 92 G; 52/282, 514; 217/69; 229/49; 248/345.1; 287/108, 20.92 R, 20.92 A, 20.92 C, 18936 F [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,030,640 6/1912 Bowers 1,473,830 11/1923 Moore 1,688,063 10/1928 Trainor 20/92 R X 2,084,965 6/1937 Wolf 229/49 2,780,223 2/1957 Hagglancl 128/92 D 3,025,853 3/1962 Mason. 123/92 B1 OTHER REFERENCES DEPUY FRACTURE BOOK Nov 18, Warsaw, Indiana, Oct. 1, l941,pg.87

Primary ExaminerChanning L. Pace Attorney-Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee & Utecht ABSTRACT: An angular compression plate for compressing a transverse fracture in a tibia bone, or the like, and including first and second flanges connected: together along their adjacent edges. The flanges are slightly flexible with respect to one another for adjustment to accommodate varying angles between the first and second sides of the tibia. Thus, the plate may be placed across the fracture and secured to such adjacent sides of the tibia for maintaining the fracture in compression and will likewise provide support along two sides of the tibia.

PATENTEU JUL 20 I971 FIG.5

INVENTOR. 09. ML (.MM X. HflLLORA/VMD.

ArraQ/vEns ANGULAR COMPRESSION PLATE FOR BONE FRACTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ulna bones.

2. Description of the Prior Art Prior art compression plates are generally flat or semicircular in cross section and are not adapted for securement to two sides of the tibia. Compression plates have been proposed which have perpendicular stiffening struts, or flanges, but such flanges are intended for insertion in slots cut in the bone by a saw. A compression plate of this type is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,l33,859. While a compression plate having such a flange may provide some support against shifting of the bone portions above and below the fracture, it is characterized by the disadvantages of the surgeon having to cut a longitudinal slot in the bone thereby increasing the likelihood of infection and weakening the bone. Also, once the saw cut is made the surgeon has committed himself to the anatomical position of i the bone portions and cannot thereafter adjust the transverse positioning thereof.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The angular compression plate of present invention is characterized by a pair of flanges connected together at their adjacent edges and adapted for overlying adjacent sides of a Other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compression plate embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the compression plate shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a modification of the compression plate shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The compression plate P of present invention is intended to compress a fracture in an angular-in-cross section bone, such as a tibia bone 11, or the like. The plate P includes a pair of flanges or plate portions 13 and 15 which extend along respective adjacent sides 17 and I9 of the tibia II and are connected together along their adjacent edges to form a connecting corner 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cross section of the tibia II is approximately an equilateral triangle having an anterior corner 25 of 60, and posterior medial and lateral comers 27 and 29, respectively, also, of approximately 60. Consequently, the angle between the plate portions II and 13 may likewise be approximately 60 and with the inherent flexibility of the plate P, such angle can be adjusted to fit the plate over any of the corners 25, 27 or 29. Also, the size and configuration of the tibia II varies throughout its length and the plate portions 14 and 15 can be flexed to accommodate the variations.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a plurality of screw-receiving bores 33 and 35 are included in the respective plate portions 13 and 15 and are arranged in staggered relationship whereby the screws 37 and 39 extended therethrough and screwed into the tibia cortex will be out of alignment with one another. It is noted that the bores 33 and 35 are included in projections 41 and 43 in the respective plate portions 13 and 15 whereby the screws 37 and 39 will engage the tibia ll medially in the sidewalls thereof.

In the compression plate P shown in FIG. 4, the bores 45 and 47 in the opposite sides 49 and 51 are in alignment whereby a transverse pin 53 may be inserted through such aligned bores and tightened into position to provide enhanced structural integrity.

In operation, the fractured tibia Il may be X-rayed to determine on which corner 25, 27 or 29 of the tibia II the plate P should be positioned. This decision will depend on the location of the fracture l0 and the cleanliness thereof. That is, if one corner of the tibia is relatively dirty, the plate P should be located on a different corner to reduce the likelihood of infection. In instances where the fracture is fragmented or comminuted on one corner 25, 27 or 29, it would be desirable to locate the plate P over such corner to provide additional support. Accordingly, after X-ray and determination of the location where the plate is to be disposed, the incision is made and the tibia II stripped along a selected length for receipt of such plate. The plate P is placed over the fracture l0 and the fracture l0 compressed, as by the apparatus and method disclosed in my copending application tiled June 17, 1968 and bearing U.S. Ser. No. 737,688. The screws 37 and 39 are then inserted to maintain the fracture III in compression, and the incision closed.

Installation of the compression plate P' is substantially the same as that described above except that the rod 51 is inserted through the aligned bores 45 and 47.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the compression plate of present invention may be installed on the corticle surface without the necessity of making a saw cut in the cortex of the bone thus reducing the likelihood of infection and danger of splitting of the bone. Further, since the compression plate P is flexible it may easily be flexed to adjust the angular setting for accommodating different corners of the tibia and may likewise be adjusted for installation on the tibia of patients having differently angled tibias. Also, because of the angular configuration of the plate and resultant structural integrity, it can be shorter than the usual flat plate thus reducing the amount of the stripping required and lessening the likelihood of rejection. Also, because of the shorter incision and less stripping the operation time is less thus reducing the operative risk. Further, support is provided on two sides of the bone thus preventing shortening of the bone as a result of comminution in the area of the fracture.

lclaim:

I. An angular compression plate of tissue-compatible material for compressing a fracture in an angular bone and comprising:

a first substantially flat flange for projecting along one surface of said bone;

a second substantially flat flange projecting at an acute angle to said first flange for extension along a second surface of said bone;

bendable connecting means connecting said flanges together along their adjacent edges; and

securing means for securing said flanges to said bone whereby said plate may be positioned over one comer of said bone in spanning relationship over said fracture, said fracture compressed and said flanges secured to adjacent surfaces of said bone to hold said fracture in compression and support said bone along said first and second surfaces and said one corner.

v i-$1. 4 2. An angular compressionplate as'set forth in claim 1 for wherein: application to alibia and wherein: said securing means includes pairs of aligned screw-receivsaid flanges project at an angle of approximately 60 to one g bores for Yeeeiving screws Projecting through said another bone. v

3. An angular compression plate as set forth in claim I 5 

1. An angular compression plate of tissue-compatible material for compressing a fracture in an angular bone and comprising: a first substantially flat flange for projecting along one surface of said bone; a second substantially flat flange projecting at an acute angle to said first flange for extension along a second surface of said bone; bendable connecting means connecting said flanges together along their adjacent edges; and securing means for securing said flanges to said bone whereby said plate may be positioned over one corner of said bone in spanning relationship over said fracture, said fracture compressed and said flanges secured to adjacent surfaces of said bone to hold said fracture in compression and support said bone along said first and second surfaces and said one corner.
 2. An angular compression plate as set forth in claim 1 for application to a tibia and wherein: said flanges project at an angle of approximately 60* to one another.
 3. An angular compression plate as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said securing means includes pairs of aligned screw-receiving bores for receiving screws projecting through said bone. 